The more Kosma imitated, the more envious he became.
He also wanted to become someone as cool as Kevin, to shine and burn brightly in a world of Honkai like them.
What should he do?
Thinking, pondering...
Finally, he thought of someone—Kalpas!
Back then, Kalpas had rushed to the company to kill the director and got invited instead. He could imitate that!
So... Kosma began planning.
...
At the same time.
Inside the Golden Courtyard.
Elysia felt it was utterly unbelievable: "That's... Kevin? The Kevin who loves eating noodles?"
Eden was also very surprised: "Noodle-eating? The Kevin who eats noodles at the company every day and then goes on dates with his girlfriend after work? He doesn't seem like the same person at all. How exactly did you make him perform with that kind of feeling?"
Hessian said proudly: "This is the skill of a director."
SAKURA huffed coldly and directly exposed him: "Before shooting, he would always tell Kevin, 'Just bring out the feeling of Mei being dead when you film.' Every time after filming, Kevin would hug Mei to confirm she wasn't really dead."
"Uh..."
Eden and Elysia were momentarily speechless.
One could only say this guy's ability to court death was too strong.
Fortunately, it was the noodle-loving Kevin. If it had been Kalpas or anyone else, he would probably have been stabbed countless times without realizing.
With the truth exposed, Hessian also felt a bit embarrassed. He coughed twice and said: "This is all for Honkai Impact 3rd! This is all for the drama. As actors, making a small sacrifice for the show is very normal."
SAKURA stared at him: "Then what about you? What did you sacrifice playing Otto?"
This question didn't need him to answer.
Eden answered for him: "He almost got killed by Kalpas."
"..." SAKURA was speechless: "Is filming a TV drama this risky nowadays?"
Eden smiled: "Not really. The only one with high risk is him."
Hessian also said thick-skinned: "Great art always requires someone to sacrifice. It just happens to be me this time."
Elysia cooperated perfectly: "With me here, I won't let my husband sacrifice."
"You two..."
Eden was already immune to this couple, but SAKURA still looked speechless.
At this moment...
Elysia's phone rang.
She answered the call and said happily: "Vill-V, how do you have time to call me? Do you want to go on a date together?"
Vill-V was also very excited: "We can talk about the date later. I have great news to tell you—ever since this episode of Honkai Impact 3rd aired, the Bronya-brand motorcycles I've produced have exploded in popularity. The orders have completely blown up!"
Huh?
Hessian listened with a bewildered face.
Bronya-brand?
Motorcycles?
What was that?
He had never heard of it.
Vill-V continued: "As expected of you, Elysia. You actually thought of selling merchandise. The pre-orders for the Judgment of Shamash have already exceeded ten thousand. I can't even keep up with production here."
Elysia said happily: "That's great. This way, I'll have money to let my husband prepare for filming the second TV drama."
The two then chatted a bit more before hanging up.
Elysia saw his astonished look and explained: "Vill-V is the person who makes props for our company—like Kiana's armor, the Herrscher of Reason's motorcycle, the battleships... all made by her."
"A while ago, I was thinking—if we sold these props as merchandise, wouldn't it make a lot of money? Vill-V tried it according to my idea, and the orders exploded."
Hessian was even more surprised: "My wife actually knows how to make money?"
Elysia said: "Of course! Cute girls can do anything~ Making money is just simple~"
Eden timely asked: "Elysia, with so many orders now, can Vill-V handle it? You still need quite a few props for the later parts of the drama, right?"
Elysia pushed Hessian aside and directly hugged Eden's arm: "Doesn't this require my good Eden? With Eden's connections, solving the processing factory should be easy, right?"
Eden was very indulgent toward Elysia.
She naturally easily fulfilled her request.
Watching the two start discussing in detail about making money from merchandise, Hessian also felt a bit sleepy. He hadn't slept well at all this week.
He went back to his room and fell asleep directly.
When he woke up, it was already the next morning.
There were over a dozen missed calls on his phone and dozens of messages.
Just as he was about to check what the messages were.
Mobius's call came in.
Answering the phone, Hessian said lazily: "It's not even work time yet. Why are you rushing me?"
Mobius said: "Work time? Haven't you seen the news online?"
"News? What news?" Hessian looked blank: "I went to bed very early last night."
Mobius urged: "Get up right now, turn on the TV, and watch the news channel!"
Hessian did as she said, turning on the TV and switching to the news channel.
The current broadcast was: "Just because of a line in the TV drama Honkai Impact 3rd—'I stand in the square that has already turned to ruins... In my eyes, not a single cherry blossom can be seen.' Citizens have decorated all squares full of cherry blossoms..."
Then came scenes of squares across the nation.
Ordinary squares that used to be plain were now filled with cherry blossoms—some with transplanted cherry trees, some with dyed cherry petals, some with fake trees made by viewers themselves.
Without exception, now if you went to any square, you could see cherry blossom trees.
The reporter randomly interviewed someone checking in at a square and asked: "Why did you make the squares bloom with cherry blossoms overnight? Is there any meaning behind it?"
This person answered seriously: "There was once a warrior who said—when you and she stand together under the cherry blossom trees, you will discover this world is still beautiful. You will discover your world still has hope."
"I hope everyone can feel this beauty, let everyone understand that our world still has hope! Everyone should bravely face the future and believe in hope!"
Then the reporter interviewed another person, who said: "SAKURA couldn't take RIN to see the blooming cherry blossoms. I want to help fulfill her wish—so that wherever she walks in any square, she can see cherry blossoms blooming and feel the beauty of the world!"
Then the third person... the fourth person...
Watching this scene.
Hessian was truly shocked.
Though he always said the viewers in this world were too fragile, always going offline to PK in real life.
But if it was this kind, he would really be very touched.
SAKURA had come to his side at some point—perhaps following him when he left the room, as her task was to protect his safety.
At this time.
SAKURA was also moved by the news on TV.
As the actor for the character, she understood the character's inner emotions the best.
She could imagine how moved and happy the SAKURA in Honkai Impact 3rd would be if she saw this scene...
At this moment.
She seemed to understand Hessian.
Seemed to know why he always emphasized this was a healthy, sunny, positive, and uplifting drama.
Look at these blooming cherry blossoms—wasn't it a symbol of hope?
Look at these viewers who understood what beauty is—weren't they representatives of positivity?
She turned her head, wanting to say thank you to Hessian.
But... before the words could come out.
A change occurred in the TV news.
The reporter was about to take back the microphone when this person snatched it back: "Besides the dog director, there's also dog Otto! Neither of them deserves hope!"
This instantly resonated. Everyone in the entire square shouted: "Dog director, die! Dog Otto, die!"
Seeing this, the news anchor immediately cut the live feed: "It can be seen that everyone loves Honkai Impact 3rd very much. But this station still reminds certain directors to be cautious about courting death."
???
Hessian rubbed his eyes.
Confirmed he wasn't mistaken.
This was the news channel!
No...
Do news channels nowadays specifically call out to tell him not to court death?
SAKURA also instantly withdrew her intention to thank him, patting his shoulder teasingly: "Hear that? The news is calling you out by name not to court death."
Hessian: "...I suspect this anchor is also a Honkai Impact 3rd viewer."
He guessed correctly.
This anchor was indeed a die-hard fan of Honkai Impact 3rd. If not for professional reasons, she would want to shout along on TV: Dog director, die!
Mobius's voice came from the phone: "Finished watching the news? Any thoughts?"
Hessian smiled: "Pretty good. Mobius... what do you think—if they curse so fiercely now, but one day have to genuinely admire and like the person they're cursing, what will that be like?"
"Hah?" Mobius said irritably: "You haven't woken up? Viewers liking you? How is that possible! Don't you know that you and the character you play are now the most hated existences nationwide?"
Hessian smiled even happier: "That's what makes it interesting. When one day they discover the truth and sincerely admire and like it, won't they regret their actions today?"
Mobius frowned tightly: "What are you planning? I warn you not to mess around! This drama is our company's only hope."
Hessian reassured: "Relax, relax. Everything is just beginning now."
Mobius: "..."
She had a bad premonition, feeling like this guy was about to cause trouble.
"Alright, alright. I've prepared the script for the next episode. I'll come to the company soon to give it to you all. This is Kiana's highlight moment~"
Hanging up the phone.
Hessian headed straight to the company.
Just as the TV news said, now all the squares in the city were full of cherry blossoms.
Even Christmas wasn't this exaggerated.
He asked SAKURA: "Want to go cherry blossom viewing later?"
SAKURA decisively refused: "No need."
Hessian curiously asked: "You don't like cherry blossoms?"
SAKURA shook her head: "No, I'm worried if you go to a square, you'll get mobbed. I alone can't protect you."
"..." Hessian was speechless: "My friend, rest assured. This is only temporary. Believe me—one day, everyone will love me."
SAKURA said mercilessly: "That might be after you're in your coffin."
Arriving at Fire Moth Interstellar Entertainment Company.
As soon as he entered the door.
He saw Kevin leaning on his seat, with a bowl of noodles on the table beside him.
While Kiana and others were snapping photos of him frantically.
Even Kalpas was holding his phone, shooting Kevin's domineering moment.
Seeing Hessian arrive, they toned it down a bit.
"Director He!"
"Good morning, Director He!"
"Hello, Director He!"
Hessian nodded: "Mm, good morning."
Then he looked at Kevin: "What are you doing?"
Kevin said excitedly: "Last night, Mei and I watched Honkai Impact 3rd. She thinks I look very cool like this!"
Hessian said indifferently: "Oh, but in Honkai Impact 3rd, Mei can't see your cool appearance like this."
Kevin curiously asked: "Why?"
Hessian answered: "Because Mei is dead. Dead people can't see."
Kiana: "..."
Raiden Mei: "..."
Bronya: "..."
Kalpas: "(?へ?)"
Mobius: ""
Theresa: ""
Kevin also froze instantly. The smile on his face vanished, and he just sat there in the chair, murmuring: "Mei... is dead?"
Rita, watching their expressions, covered her mouth and chuckled lightly: "Director He, you're too mischievous."
Hessian shrugged: "Who let this kid show off first thing in the morning."
Then he clapped his hands: "Alright! Everyone, perk up. These are the latest scripts. Hurry and familiarize yourselves. We'll start shooting soon."
Kiana looked at the script handed to her in surprise: "The next episode has my plot?"
Hessian nodded: "Naturally. The next episode is your main stage."
Then he handed the script to Raiden Mei.
Raiden Mei looked at Kiana, then at her script, surprised: "Could it be... I'm finally meeting Kiana?"
Hessian nodded: "Yes."
Everyone else looked at him in disbelief.
Even Durandal spoke up: "Director He, are you sick?"
Hessian puzzled: "No, why ask that?"
Durandal said: "If you're not sick, how could you let Kiana and Mei meet so early? I thought there would be more twists for the two later."
Hessian said: "I'm not some devil. How could I keep abusing the two of them? And it's already been one episode apart—they should at least reunite."
"I see."
Everyone present suddenly understood.
Kalpas even quickly leaked the message to the fan group: "Next episode, Kiana and Mei will meet."
Seeing this message, fans all got excited, and the news spread rapidly among viewers.
Then, Hessian handed the script to Kevin.
Kevin took the script and flipped through it. He urgently wanted to know if it really had the news of Mei dying.
Seeing the end, he froze.
He asked Hessian: "Director He, do I have a fight scene at the end of this episode?"
"What??"
All the actors on site were shocked.
Everyone had witnessed Kevin's character's aura last night.
Now saying there's a fight scene in the next episode?
Who could fight him?
Kiana quickly followed up: "Fight scene with who? Is there anyone who can cross hands with ancestor Kevin?"
Kevin's gaze fell on Durandal: "With her."
Durandal was also somewhat surprised: "Me versus Kevin? It should be very exciting. Does it say who wins?"
Kevin shook his head: "It doesn't say how it ends."
Kalpas nearby, hearing this, quickly sent the message to his fan group: "Next episode, Kevin vs. Durandal fight."
Just two messages.
His fan group exploded directly.
"Kiana and Mei meet? Durandal and Kevin fight? Damn, is the dog director crazy? Going this big?"
"I say, is Honkai Impact 3rd ending? Directly starting king vs. king?"
"I can't imagine anyone in this world defeating Kevin—with that aura, he's practically invincible."
"Durandal is also the strongest Valkyrie. I think it should be Durandal shattering Kevin's plan."
"I shouldn't have looked at the group—now I really want to watch the next episode."
"No, no—I haven't recovered from yesterday's plot yet, and you're telling me the next episode is even more epic?"
"Please don't end, please don't have a bad ending. I really like this drama."
"What about Seele? No scenes for Seele and them next episode?"
"I really can't figure out how the plot will arrange this—Mei and Kiana meet, then Kevin and Durandal fighting over Kiana? Century quadrangle love?"
"..."
In just a few minutes, this news spread from the group across the entire internet.
Those viewers still under the cherry blossom trees, gazing at the blossoms and thinking of SAKURA, were instantly stunned by this spoiler.
They immediately grabbed their phones and frantically discussed.
And Hessian had long known Kalpas would occasionally leak a bit of info in the group. He didn't interfere—after all, this increased the hype for each episode...